Lighted,rotating toy



Dec. 23, 1969 J. c. F'ONG LIGHTED, ROTATING TOY Filed June 28, 1968 Bill? INVENTOR.

JOSEPH C. FONG LP 4 ATTORNEYS PIE:- .3.

United States Patent 3,484,987 LIGHTED, ROTATING TOY Joseph C. Fong, 647 Clay St., San Francisco, Calif. 94111 Filed June 28, 1968, Ser. No. 740,953- Int. Cl. A63h 33/26, 33/36 U.S. Cl. 46-228 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rotating toy is provided consisting of a hoop which a child can rotate about a rod, the rod having a spiral groove thereon so that as the hoop is rotated, it travels down the spiral. A battery connected to a pair of contacts running along the spiral groove is provided with mating contacts on the hoop and with a light on the hoop so that as the hoop rotates, the light is lit. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a crank handle is provided at the distal end of the rod so that the hoop continues to rotate, the crank will actuate a spark Wheel causing the toy to emit sparks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

Field of the invention Rotating hoop toy for children.

Description of the prior art Unknown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An illuminated toy is provided for children which consists essentially of a rod having a spiral groove therein around which a hoop with a holder fitting the groove can be rotated by the child. The proximal end of the rod has a battery holder therein which is connected to contacts which run throughout the length of the groove while mating contacts are provided on a holder for the hoop so that a light bulb held by the hoop can be constantly illuminated as the device is rotated. Several variations can be made in the structure such as providing a crank and flint structure at the distal end of the rod so that as the hoop approaches the end of the rod, it will rotate the crank actuating a sparking structure. In addition, the hoop can be provided with one or more bands across it which Will hum as the hoop is rotated and also with jingles which make their characteristic noise as the device is rotated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side view of the device showing some of the parts in section.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The device of the present invention consists of two main parts, namely a rod generally designated 5 and a hoop generally designated 7. The rod 5 has a proximal end 9 and a distal end 11 with a handle portion 13 at the proximal end. The handle is hollowed out to provide a holder for battery 15 and a switch 17 is provided to turn the batteries on and oil. A cap 19 can be removed for servicing the batteries. A spiral is provided as at 21 extending between the handle portion and the distal end which terminates at a stop member 33. Parallel electrical ice contacts 25 and 27 run throughout the length of the grooves and are connected by means of the wires 31 and 33 to the battery 15.

The hoop 7 consists of a loop 35 and on one side a holder 37 is provided. The holder 37 has side-by-side contacts 39 and 41 which mate with contacts 25 and 27 and these are connected by means of wires 43 and 45 around the periphery of the loop to a light bulb 47. Thus, a child can play with the toy by placing the loop holder at some point along the spiral, preferably near the handle and then turn the switch on. As he rotates the device by hand as is best seen in FIGURE 1, the light will come on and remain on as the hoop is rotated. As the child rotates the hoop the light will remain on until it reaches the stop 23 and then the hoop will continue to revolve at one place and the light 47 will flash on and off.

As a variant, a crank handle 49 can be provided, the arm 51 of which can be contacted by the hoop holder when the hoop is near the end of its path of travel. A fixed shaft 53 is mounted on rod 5 and to this is affixed a flint holder assembly 55. A spark Wheel 57 is mounted on hollow shaft 59 and this in turn is connected to the crank 49. As the crank 49 turns, spark wheel 57 will be rotated, causing sparks to be emitted. This obviously adds to the pleasure of the toy.

In addition to the above, a heavy rubber band 61 may be stretched between opposite sides of the hoop and as the hoop is rotated, it will emit a humming noise. Further, jingles 63 can be fastened to the end of the hoop and these will rattle as the device is rotated.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an attractive toy for a child which lights up, sparks and makes a noise.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising in combination:

(a) a rod having a proximal end and. a distal end,

(b) a handle at the proximal end, said handle having a battery therein,

(0) a helical groove extending from the handle to the distal end,

(d) a pair of side by side electrical contacts extending in a helical configuration from said battery and throughout the length of said groove,

(e) a hoop adapted to be swung around said rod,

(f) a holder having a pair of electrical contacts engaging said side by side contacts, said holder being mounted on one side of said hoop, r

(g) a light bulb on the opposite side of said hoop with wires connecting said bulb and the contacts of said holder whereby,

(h) said hoop can be swung about said rod and from one end to the other of said groove With the holder in said groove with the light bulb lit.

2. The structure of claim 1 including a crank handle rotatably mounted on the distal end, said crank being operatively connected to a rotating spark wheel and flint structure whereby the hoop can be brought into contact with the crank, rotating the same and causing the spark wheel to emit sparks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 46-48 

